Move Networks exec chairman discusses Inuk acquisition

Move Networks announced Wednesday the acquisition of its partner Inuk Networks, which offers IPTV services without the use of set-top boxes in the U.K. The buy now gives Move the ability to offer this service, dubbed a "virtual set-top box," to U.S. customers.

Move Network's executive chairman John Edwards said the Inuk acquisition creates clear synergies for the combined entity, leveraging Move's expertise with adaptive streaming and over-the-top video video delivery on open networks and Inuk's expertise in hosted services on closed networks.

"Bringing Inuk in allows us to now go places where a provider, whether it is a telco or cableco, wants to offer IPTV-like services without significant capex to improve its network," Edwards said. "It's going to enable new bundling strategies and configurations for users, and gives us an opportunity to offer a wholesale IPTV service that can also be white-labeled."

Edwards said Inuk Networks CEO Marcus Liassides would report to the Move Networks board for now, and that a revised management structure for the combined company would be released in the next 90 days. Edwards also addressed analyst comments that the Inuk acquisition "added to the company's confusing portfolio."

"I don't understand that comment, because the Inuk acquisition opens up a new market for our services and really accelerates what our content provider customers want," Edwards said. "The resulting ad monetization capabilities are strong, and it provides us with carriage-based opportunities, as well as offering Inuk channels to sell their white label IPTV service into in the U.S. they haven't had before."

Edwards said the company is in negotiations with several operators to release "virtual set-top box" offerings, and that announcements of these customers would also come in the next 90 days. 

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